BSN HESI 215 DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-20… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
BSN HESI 215 Dosage
Calculation Exam Questions
& Answers 2026-2027
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
50 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 50 dosage calculation exam questions with pre-determined correct answers and
detailed rationales. It covers essential nursing pharmacology calculations, offering a comprehensive study
tool for reviewing concepts, reinforcing understanding, and preparing for certification examinations.
CONTENTS
01 Vasoactive & Cardiac Infusions Q1–Q16
02 Fluid & Nutrition Therapy Q17–Q26
03 Medication Administration & Calculations Q27–Q42
04 Advanced & Specialized Dosing Q43–Q50
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 50
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute. The
solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion pump to
deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
CORRECT ANSWER
11.3
First, convert pounds to kg
220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg
= 100 kg.
Next, calculate the dosage per minute,
3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg
= 300 mcg/min.
3(100kg) =300
Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour
300 mcg/min x 60 min
=18,000 mcg/hour.
Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour,
=18,000 mcg/hr
= 18.0 mg/hour.
Calculate the rate,
400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml
= 400 mg 18 mg
_____________ = ___________
250mL x mL
=400X = 4500
X = 11.25
= 11.3 ml.
So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
RATIONALE
Calculating the prescribed dose in mcg/hour and then converting it to mg/hour allows for determining the
volume/hour by using the available concentration, thereby setting the infusion pump. This process ensures accurate
delivery of the vasoactive medication based on patient weight and desired therapeutic effect.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 50
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg in
D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If
Page 2
, rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
CORRECT ANSWER
3.5
Calculate the mg/hour infusing,
50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml
=250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour.
Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour
15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour
then divide by 60 min
= 250 mcg/minute.
Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min
= 3.45
= 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
RATIONALE
The medication infusion rate is converted from mg/hour to mcg/minute, then divided by the client's weight in
kilograms to determine the dose in mcg/kg/minute. This calculation assesses the precise dosage delivered to ensure
therapeutic efficacy and patient safety for the hypertensive client.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 50
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5 ml/hour. How
many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.)
CORRECT ANSWER
1.9
To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500 ml) x
dose available (800 mg)
= 8 mg/hour.
Next, convert milligrams/hour to mcg/kg/minute:
mg (8) x 1000 / kg (70) / 60 minutes
= 1.904
= 1.9 mcg/kg/minute.
RATIONALE
Accurately calculating the dopamine infusion rate requires converting the delivered volume per hour to the dose per
minute, then scaling for the patient's weight and the concentration of the solution. This multidimensional conversion
process ensures the precise delivery of a potent vasoactive medication according to therapeutic guidelines.
Page 3
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
BSN HESI 215 Dosage
Calculation Exam Questions
& Answers 2026-2027
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
50 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 50 dosage calculation exam questions with pre-determined correct answers and
detailed rationales. It covers essential nursing pharmacology calculations, offering a comprehensive study
tool for reviewing concepts, reinforcing understanding, and preparing for certification examinations.
CONTENTS
01 Vasoactive & Cardiac Infusions Q1–Q16
02 Fluid & Nutrition Therapy Q17–Q26
03 Medication Administration & Calculations Q27–Q42
04 Advanced & Specialized Dosing Q43–Q50
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 50
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute. The
solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion pump to
deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
CORRECT ANSWER
11.3
First, convert pounds to kg
220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg
= 100 kg.
Next, calculate the dosage per minute,
3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg
= 300 mcg/min.
3(100kg) =300
Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour
300 mcg/min x 60 min
=18,000 mcg/hour.
Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour,
=18,000 mcg/hr
= 18.0 mg/hour.
Calculate the rate,
400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml
= 400 mg 18 mg
_____________ = ___________
250mL x mL
=400X = 4500
X = 11.25
= 11.3 ml.
So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
RATIONALE
Calculating the prescribed dose in mcg/hour and then converting it to mg/hour allows for determining the
volume/hour by using the available concentration, thereby setting the infusion pump. This process ensures accurate
delivery of the vasoactive medication based on patient weight and desired therapeutic effect.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 50
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg in
D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If
Page 2
, rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
CORRECT ANSWER
3.5
Calculate the mg/hour infusing,
50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml
=250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour.
Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour
15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour
then divide by 60 min
= 250 mcg/minute.
Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min
= 3.45
= 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
RATIONALE
The medication infusion rate is converted from mg/hour to mcg/minute, then divided by the client's weight in
kilograms to determine the dose in mcg/kg/minute. This calculation assesses the precise dosage delivered to ensure
therapeutic efficacy and patient safety for the hypertensive client.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 50
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5 ml/hour. How
many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.)
CORRECT ANSWER
1.9
To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500 ml) x
dose available (800 mg)
= 8 mg/hour.
Next, convert milligrams/hour to mcg/kg/minute:
mg (8) x 1000 / kg (70) / 60 minutes
= 1.904
= 1.9 mcg/kg/minute.
RATIONALE
Accurately calculating the dopamine infusion rate requires converting the delivered volume per hour to the dose per
minute, then scaling for the patient's weight and the concentration of the solution. This multidimensional conversion
process ensures the precise delivery of a potent vasoactive medication according to therapeutic guidelines.
Page 3
